Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 56449 — Fort Ripley, MN

ZIP code 56449 (Fort Ripley, Crow Wing County) is in USDA zone 4a: the coldest winter night averages −30 to −25 °F. The median last spring frost is May 8 and the first fall frost September 29.

Where ZIP 56449 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone4a−30 to −25 °F

Coldest night−34.4 to −31.7 °C

Last frostMay 8

First frostSep 29

2012 zone4a

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 4a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Fort Ripley, MN…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Fort Ripley, MN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMay 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostSeptember 29median — 10% chance by Sep 16

Growing season141 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 30 and returns around October 8.

From the NOAA station Brainerd, MN — 12 miles away, elevation 1,181 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 56449

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 17

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesTransplant · May 15 – May 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 22 – Jun 5

BeansSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · May 15 – May 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 4 – Aug 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Sep 15 – Oct 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (May 8) and first fall frost (Sep 29) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 56449 came on Apr 18 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21).

average
Apr 212026
Apr 18

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Fort Ripley, MN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 56449 is Eutrudepts — loam, moderately well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter4%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Eutrudepts-Graycalm-Rollins complex, pitted, 20 to 45 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 56449; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Fort Ripley, MN

Summer high80 °Faverage high, July

Winter low−2 °Faverage low, January

Hot days5days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights185nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days2,084base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day15 h 47 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day8 h 37 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growLong-daysummer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too)

Precipitation30.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Brainerd, MN (12 mi away); precipitation: Little Falls 8.0 Ne, MN (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 4a.

Little Falls, MN · 13 mi

Minnesota planting zones →

Questions about 56449

What planting zone is ZIP code 56449?

ZIP code 56449 (Fort Ripley, MN) is in USDA hardiness zone 4a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches −30 to −25 °F (−34.4 to −31.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Fort Ripley, MN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 56449 is May 8; after May 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Brainerd station.

When is the first frost in Fort Ripley, MN?

The median first fall frost near 56449 is September 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 141 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 56449?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Mar 13 – Mar 27 and set transplants outside around May 15 – May 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 56449 get?

About 30.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Little Falls 8.0 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Fort Ripley, MN?

The average high peaks at 80 °F in July, with about 5 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 56449 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Eutrudepts at the center of ZIP 56449: loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Fort Ripley, MN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 56449 came on Apr 18 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Apr 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Fort Ripley, MN?

Long-day onions: the longest day near 56449 is 15 h 47 min, so summer days reach 15+ hours, enough for long-day varieties (intermediate types work too).